The nation is celebrating 53rd Independence and National Day today in a befitting manner, with the resolution to take the country forward imbued with the spirit of Liberation War. On March 26, 1971, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared Bangladesh's independence following the crackdown on unarmed Bangalees on the night of March 25 by the Pakistani occupation forces. After the nine-month long Liberation War, with the supreme sacrifices of three million martyrs, Bangladesh achieved its cherished independence on December 16, 1971. The government has undertaken elaborate programmes marking Independence and National Day. President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid tributes to the martyrs of Liberation War — placing wreaths at the National Memorial in Savar this morning. President Hamid first placed a wreath at the altar of the memorial followed by the Prime Minister. After placing the wreaths, the President and the Prime Minister stood there in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the martyrs of Liberation War. A smartly turned-out contingent drawn from Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force presented a state salute on the occasion, while the bugles played the last post. Later, flanked by senior Awami League leaders, Sheikh Hasina, also chief of the ruling party, laid another wreath at the altar of the memorial. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also paid tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman this morning. On her return from the National Memorial, the Prime Minister paid homage to the Father of the Nation by placing a wreath at his portrait in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi 32 in Dhaka. After placing the wreath, she stood there in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of Bangabandhu, the architect of Bangladesh’s independence. Sheikh Hasina stayed at Bangabandhu Memorial Museum for some time. Flanked by central leaders of Awami League, Sheikh Hasina laid another wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu on behalf of AL. President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages extending heartfelt greetings and warm felicitations to Bangladeshi citizens at home and abroad. The day began with a gun salute and wreath-laying ceremony at Savar's National Memorial in honor of the Liberation War martyrs. At sunrise, the national flag was flown over all government, semi-government, private, and autonomous buildings, and all significant buildings and establishments will be illuminated. National dailies have brought out special supplements, while Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television, private radio stations and television channels are airing special programmes highlighting the significance of the day. Bangla Academy, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Shishu Academy, National Museum, Liberation War Museum, and other social and cultural organizations will host seminars, cultural programs, painting and sports competitions for children, as well as film and documentary screenings on the Liberation War. Families of martyrs and freedom fighters will be honored at the metropolitan, district, and upazila levels today. Bangladesh Post Office Department unveiled a special commemorative stamp to mark the day. Meanwhile, different religious institutions will hold special prayers and doa mehfil praying for the country's peace, development and prosperity. Special food will be distributed at institutions like hospitals, jails, children's homes, old-age homes, and day care centers. Children’s parks and museums will remain open to all throughout the day. Also, vessels of the Bangladesh Navy and Coast Guard will remain open from 2 pm until the evening for people to visit at Chattogram, Khulna, Mongla, Payra Port, and Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) terminals in Dhaka, Narayanganj, Barishal and Chandpur. Also read: Nation remembers Liberation War heroes Similar programmes at district and upazila levels and Bangladesh embassies in different countries will be arranged to highlight the significance of Independence Day.  

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday paid tributes to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing wreaths at the National Memorial in Savar, marking the 52nd Victory Day. Sheikh Hasina placed floral wreaths at the altar of the memorial around 6:34 am to pay homage to the great heroes of the country. After placing the wreath, she stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the martyrs of the Great War of Liberation in 1971. A smartly turned out contingent drawn from Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force presented a state salute on the occasion when the bugles played the last post. Flanked by senior leaders of the party, Sheikh Hasina, also the President of the ruling Awami League (AL), laid another wreath at the National Memorial as the party chief. The Prime Minister also signed the visitor's book kept there. Later, Sheikh Hasina as the Prime Minister and the president of Bangladesh Awami League paid homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman placing two separate wreaths at his portrait at Bangabandhu Bhaban in the city’s Dhanmondi-32 area in the morning. Read more:Bangladesh set to celebrate Victory Day Friday The prime minister will also join the military parade programme at National Parade Square at 10:30pm, when President Abdul Hamid will take salutes and inspect the parade as the chief guest. She will enjoy the attractive march past, spectacular fly-past and aerobatic display there. The Nation is celebrating its 52nd Victory Day with elaborate programmes paying homage to the martyrs who laid down their lives for the country during the Liberation War. On this glorious day in 1971, Bangladesh was liberated as an independent country after the Pakistani occupation forces surrendered following a bloody nine-month war. Along with the government, different socio-political, educational and cultural institutions and organisations have chalked out a series of programmes to celebrate the day. The people of Bangladesh at home and abroad are celebrating the Victory Day, the most joyous day when the country was born at the cost of the supreme sacrifice of three million martyrs and the honour of nearly half a million women. Read more: Indian war veterans to join Bangladesh’s Victory Day celebrations in Dhaka

Bangladesh is all set to celebrate the 51st Independence and National Day on Saturday amid programmes that feature paying homage to the Liberation War martyrs and vow to materialise their dreams.    On March 26, 1971, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman proclaimed Bangladesh's independence following the crackdown on unarmed Bangalees on the midnight of March 25 by Pakistani occupation forces. After a nine-month War of Liberation with the supreme sacrifices of three million people and the honour of 200,000 women, Bangladesh finally achieved its victory on December 16, 1971. President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will issue separate messages extending heartfelt greetings and warm felicitations to Bangladesh citizens at home and abroad. The day, which is a public holiday, will begin with gun-salute and placing of wreaths at the National Memorial at Savar in honour of the Liberation War martyrs. Also read: Not chanting 'Joy Bangla' means undermining independence : PM National flag will be hoisted at all government, semi-government, private, autonomous buildings with the sunrise and all the significant buildings, establishments will be illuminated. National dailies will bring out special supplements while Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television, private radio stations and television channels will air special programmes highlighting the significance of the day. Bangla Academy, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Shishu Academy, National Museum, Liberation War Museum and other social, cultural organizations will arrange seminars, cultural programmes, painting and sports competitions for children as well as screening films, documentaries on the liberation war. Freedom fighters and martyr’s families will be honoured on metropolitan, district and upazila level. Bangladesh Post Office Department will unveil a special commemorative stamp to mark the day. Meanwhile different religious organizations will hold special prayers and doa mehfil praying for the country's peace, development and prosperity. Also read: BNP works out Independence Day programme Special quality food will be distributed at institutions like hospitals, jail, child home, old age home and day care centers. Children’s parks, museums will remain open for all throughout the day. Also vessels of Bangladesh Navy and Coast Guard will remain open from 2 pm till evening for people to visit at Chattogram Khulna, Mongla, Payra port, and BBangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) terminals in Dhaka, Narayanganj, Barishal and Chandpur. Similar programmes at district, upazila level, and Bangladesh embassies in different countries will be arranged to highlight the significance of the Independence Day.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid tributes to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing wreaths at the National Memorial at Savar on Friday morning, marking Bangladesh’s Independence and National Day. This year, the country is celebrating the Golden Jubilee of its Independence. President Hamid first placed wreaths at the altar of the memorial followed by the Prime Minister.  After placing the wreaths, the President and the Prime Minister stood there in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the martyrs of the 1971 great Liberation War.   

The government has cancelled the Independence Day ceremonies, including placing wreaths at the National Memorial, on March 26 amid the rise in coronavirus cases.